Advice: Lose the electric portable air compressors
Posted by Gneiss_Rock_Bro@reddit | overlanding | View on Reddit | 26 comments
This is just my advice and personal opinion, and you can take it or not. Different stuff is gonna work for different people. But me, I'm dropping those portable car air compressors and swapping it for a bike pump.
The air compressors are more costly, and wear out easily. Some start overheating after filling a single tire 5psi and this causes them to break over time. Last time I used one I spent about an hour of my day just trying to fill all my tires 5psi each, due to how long I had to wait in-between to keep the thing from overheating.
I think people overestimate how difficult or time consuming it is to fill a tire with a bike pump, especially if you're using sturdier trail tires that aren't supposed to be filled super high anyways. I can manually fill one of my car tires 5psi just about as fast as the air compressor I have can (I'm pretty confident that I am actually faster, but I haven't timed it), without having to wait an hour for the compressor to stop trying to kill itself over doing it's job. No doubt the aforementioned hour-long endeavor would have been 15 minutes at the absolute most if I'd done it manually. It is only as difficult as it is to fill a bike tire to that same psi. Just takes more pumps obviously.
Unless you are physically disabled and unable to use a manual pump for extended periods, or I guess if you would just rather spend more money on a really good compressor that doesn't overheat after 2 minutes (which hey, fair enough if you can afford it) I would highly recommend just dropping them and using a bike pump if you don't already. Don't be fooled into thinking that you need everything to be fancy, expensive and electronic, and that your own abilities aren't good enough to rely on 🤙
Int-Merc805@reddit
So you bought a cheap ass air compressor that you can fill faster than using a bike pump, and you wonder why it over heats.
Also you’re sure but never timed it?
Why post this? I’ve got a Milwaukee pump and it’s fucking outstanding but wasn’t cheap.
wackityack@reddit
But the battery powers all the other tools and it is incredibly reliable.
Int-Merc805@reddit
Exactly, I bring an impact and a fan. Same battery.
It’s kind of silly though because I drive a Toyota. As if I’ll ever need it trail side.
jhguth@reddit
okay so you fill your tire to 5psi as fast, but when you’re done on the trail and need to drive at highway speed how long does it take you to get to 40+psi
bacon-overlord@reddit
Lol, this is why I ditched my truck for an ox and cart. Don't need to worry about flats anymore
Sl0wmar@reddit
TunakTun633@reddit
Unironically, if you want to get into the woods for less money and for more work… Backpacking rules.
Shmokesshweed@reddit
What's your suspension setup on the cart? Miles per grain fed to the ox?
Sl0wmar@reddit
My guy, I do not know what air compressor hurt you but I'm sorry for the experience you had..
If you're talking about cig outlet pumps then yes, they are not made for large tires and regular use. Have you ever had a compressor that hooks to your battery?
A bike pump is a great backup, however, that's no reason to knock air compressors in general.
I got shit to do at camp or post trail ride - while I do those things, my $150 Maddox 3.5cfm from Harbor Freight pumps up all 4 LT33"s simultaneously without ever tripping the built-in breaker. I pack up the comp and hoses without sweating and keep on truckin...
I have plans to mount the compressor to the vehicle and plumb air lines to all the wheel wells for an even faster air up/down.
Shmokesshweed@reddit
I thought I was reading something on r/mtb.
Look, I get not needing the fanciest cooking equipment and tools out there like $600 skottles and $4000 rooftop tents.
But a Viair 88P is like $85. It'll do you fine. If you've got time and money to burn gas in the woods, you have money for that.
My tires are 245/65R17. And I'd still not want to mess with a bike pump.
salty_drafter@reddit
I have 205/70r15 tires on mine and I've filled the donut spare once with a bike pump. I'm pretty sure filling the full size tire would trash any bike pump. That pump was hot and not super happy.
DonkeyEnergy@reddit
There's hardly ever a need to deflate anyways unless you are specifically rock crawling or in sand dunes/beach... I'm driving off road for over 25 years hundreds of thousands of miles never deflated once except in sand dunes. Just run regular psi ..this is why your rig is supposed to have suspension.
Substantial-Ant-4010@reddit
I have the previously mentioned Viair 88P. I air down to 15 PSI at the beach, and it takes about 15 minutes from start to finish to inflate all 4 tires to 32 PSI. Sure, the pump gets hot, but it has never shut down. It is electric, but no electronics. Stay away from rechargeable pumps.
Pro Tip: Get a compressor that clamps to the battery, not the 12v cigarette lighter port.
Extra Bonus Tip: Viair makes a conversion kit that allows you to plug the compressor into the 7 Pin Trailer plug. I made my own. Makes it way ealier!
fishEH-847@reddit
I like to inflate my queen size air mattress with my mouth. I get a nice lightheaded sensation I usually have to pay good money for. Every now and then I slip my tongue in for done extra fun. Air pumps are for chumps.
SgtHondo@reddit
April fools was 3 days ago bud
bmwbiker1@reddit
filling 4x 35 inch tire from 10 psi to 40psi with a bike pump in 95 degree heat? If it works for you, have fun. I’ll stick to my electric compressor.
Drummer123456789@reddit
I had an f250 that I needed to get stock tires from 20 back up to 65. I would never in my wildest dream try that with a bike pump. A good compressor with proper heat dissipation will do just fine. They are designed to handle that much heat
ChibaCityFunk@reddit
My advice: swap out the build in air compressor that takes care of your air breaks for a proper central tire deflation / inflation system…
Adorable_Wolf_8387@reddit
A good portable costs about as much as a good manual bike tire inflator
krzybone@reddit
lol rage bait
Ballamookieofficial@reddit
If you've never used one I could understand how you got to this conclusion.
randyjacksonsarmpits@reddit
lol April fools was 3 days ago man
FrostyPause3610@reddit
🤣🤣🤣 Get a quality dual cylinder head compressor and you will be able to inflate all of your tires at once in about 10 minutes.
Mr_dm@reddit
Bro just loves manual labor
CdawwgzWorld@reddit
This sounds like a wild take. I’ve had some wild takes in my life though so I’ll entertain this. You should do a side by side video.
That being said i have a makita air compressor and it takes maybe a minute or two per tire. It uses the same 18 volt battery as my impact, sawzall, chainsaw and leaf blower. Super convenient
srpske@reddit
What?